This is concerning a strange action…where after a Windows 10 upgrade using a SCCM task sequence, the state of the computer is thrown into a boot loop. Not exactly fun. In some cases, the last step in the task sequence, usually Install Windows Updates, will leave the computer in a bad state—this has to do with a KB not properly installing ( 1 2 ), or cleanly installing properly (though, there are other causes of this bad state). When this happens, two reg keys that would normally be modified, are left unchanged. These reg keys leave the machine state in ‘upgrade’ mode—not something you want.
The specific reg keys
HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup /v CmdLine
HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup /v SetupType
During the upgrade process, they look like this
HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup /v CmdLine /t REG_SZ /d “C:\Windows\SMSTSPostUpgrade\setupcomplete.cmd”
HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup /v SetupType /t REG_DWORD /d 2
The problem is, when the upgrade falls into limbo, the setupcomplete.cmd no longer exists—however the computer is trying to access the CMD file—thus a boot loop.
What you want the keys to look like
HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup /v CmdLine /t REG_SZ /d “”
HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup /v SetupType /t REG_DWORD /d 0
The Fix
To fix this boot loop, you’ll need to access the registry on the boot loop hard drive and make the modifications manually. This can be done by using the Win 10 DVD, dropping out to the command prompt, and running regedit, OR….just by slaving or cradling the drive. Here are the steps once you have access to the folder structure on the boot loop drive.
Open Regedit
Select HKLM
Select File from menu
Select Load Hive from menu
Navigate to E:\Windows\System32\config (E: being the 2nd drive)
Select SYSTEM file
Name ‘test’
Select ‘HKLM\test’ in regedit
Navigate to Setup
Remove contents of the CmdLine key
Change SetupType to 0
Try the drive in the main computer again. Boot loop should be gone.